By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Both head coaches knew heading into Wednesday's tennis match between Buchanan and Brandywine that the players would have to fight hard for every point.
The score may not reflect it, but Buchanan's 6-2 victory in the battle of the unbeatens was as close as Bucks' head coach Cuppy Mace expected.
Although Buchanan was already up 4-1 when Smeltzer and Vylonis completed the win, Mace said she was still worried because she knew the Bobcats were capable of a comeback.
Buchanan took advantage from the start, winning the first four matches played before Brandywine won No. 2 doubles.
During the match, Mace referred to her No. 1 and No. 2 singles players Ashley Shepherd and Jaclyn Mumaw as her powerhouses. They didn't disappoint, as both won in straight sets.
Mumaw beat Brandywine's Jenny Cowen who was bothered by a back injury she suffered in Saturday's Brandywine Invitational. Marazita said Cowen, who sat out practice Monday, was 70 percent healthy.
Buchanan……….6
Brandywine……2
Singles
1. Ashley Shepherd (Bu.) d. Jenny Zellman 6-1,6-1. 2. Jaclyn Mumaw (Bu.) d. Jenny Cowen (Br.) 6-0, 6-4. 3. Chelsea Ghatoaura (Bu) d. Amy Konopinski 6-4, 6-2. 4. Amber Valetine (Br) d. Olivia Bonardi 2-6, 6-3, 7-5
Doubles
1. Tracy Brelowski/Lizzy Thornton (Bu.) d. Bethany Daniel/Christine Dvorak 6-4, 6-2. 2. Lisa Konopinski/Kristin Peters (Br.) d. Hannah Flood/Nicole Moyer 5-7, 6-3, 6-3. 3. Brittanne Smeltzer/Megan Vylonis (Bu.) d. Nikki Cooper/Courtnay Schlutt 6-1, 6-3. 4. Leslie Niemier/Robyn Bahr (Bu.) d. Ashley Valentine/Jamie Bartuska 7-6, 6-2.